LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV baseball program opens the 2021 season at home this weekend with a two-day, three-game Mountain West series against the UNR Wolf Pack at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. The Rebels and Wolf Pack kick things off with a doubleheader Saturday and then play a single contest Sunday. First pitch for both days is slated for 11:05 am.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can follow this weekend's three-game, Mountain West series between UNLV and UNR through live stats, live video and social media. Links to stats and live video can be found online at UNLVRebels.com in the "schedule" section of the team's baseball page as well as on the team's official social media channels. In-game updates will be provided through @UNLVbaseball, the team's official Twitter account.
 
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING
With this week's three-game, Mountain West set, UNLV and UNR rekindle a series that dates back to 1968. The two teams have played a total of 156 games, with the Rebels leading the head-to-head series by 20 games - 88-68.
 
The Rebels and Wolf Pack did not play each other during the pandemic shortened 2020 season, but played a total of seven times in 2019, with UNLV holding a slight 4-3 edge. Each squad won its respective home series by 2-1 margins; however, the final contest of the year was claimed by the Scarlet & Gray in walk-off fashion. Max Smith stepped up to the plate to open the bottom of the ninth and deposited the first pitch he saw over the right-field fence to eliminate UNR from the Mountain West Tournament, and propel the Rebels to the title game vs. Fresno State.
 
SILVER STATE SERIES
Not only do this weekend's games between UNLV and UNR count towards the Mountain West standings, but they have added significance in the Silver State Series presented by IBEW and Nevada Donor Network. Dating back to the 2012-13 academic year, the Rebels have beaten the Wolf Pack seven times and tied once (2016-17).
 
To date, UNR leads the all-encompassing athletic and academic competition between the state's two NCAA Division I programs by three points, 6.0-3.0.
 
ON DECK
UNLV stays home next week and welcomes the New Mexico Lobos to town for another three-game, two-day Mountain West series at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. The Rebels and Lobos will square off in a doubleheader on March 6 and then play a single game on March 7. Both days are scheduled for 11:05 am first pitches.
 
OPENING WEEKEND CANCELED
UNLV was supposed to have started the 2021 season last weekend (Feb. 19-21) at home against the New Mexico State Aggies; however, the squad from Las Cruces had a positive COVID-19 test, which canceled the four-game series at Earl E. Wilson Stadium.
 
REBEL PICKED THIRD IN MW PRESEASON POLL
The UNLV baseball team was picked to finish tied for third place with the New Mexico Lobos in the 2021 Mountain West Preseason Poll, which was voted on by the Conference's seven head coaches.
 
The San Diego State Aztecs garnered six first-place votes and accumulated a total of 36 points to finish atop the preseason rankings for the third straight year. The Fresno State Bulldogs claimed the seventh first-place vote and amassed 29 points for second place. UNLV and UNM tied for third with 23 points. UNR (16 points), Air Force (11) and San Jose State (nine) rounded out fifth through seventh, respectively.